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Is Dr. Kibble your real name? 🙂
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Hi! Excited to introduce myself to the iloveveterinary community! My name is Katja Braun Lang and my initials are KBL. So naturally when someone nicknamed me Dr. Kibble it stuck! I work at Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital which is located in lower Manhattan. I live in Brooklyn with my husband, turtle named Sheldon, 2 dachshunds named Mardi and Lucy and 1 baby baby named Hayes Jaguar!
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Why did you decide to become a vet?
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I grew up next to a veterinary surgeon in Westchester, NY. I remember him rehabilitating baby deer and thinking he has the coolest job in the world. He also pioneered the lateral suture technique for ACL repairs (but i didn’t know this until years later when I was in vet school and he was in the textbook I was reading!). By 5 years old I was telling everyone I was going to be a vet when I grew up.
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Where did you study?
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I earned my DVM at Cornell University and loved it! The best thing about Cornell is that it combines lectures, small group case-based learning and hands on live animal experience. When we were learning about the bones of the dog in lectures, we would have a lab about how to perform orthopedic exams and a case discussion about a Rottweiler with osteosarcoma.
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What does your veterinary work include?
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I work in a small animal private practice in Chelsea. We mostly see dogs and cats but occasionally see small mammals as well. I love that on the same day, I am performing surgery and working on dermatolgy, cardiology and internal medicine cases.
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How is it like to be a Vet in New York?
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Working in New York City has its benefits and challenges. The case load is high and we see a lot of contagious diseases since all the animals share the same “bathroom.” My clientele varies from US postal workers to actors to fashion bloggers and so much more. I love meeting new people so everyday is exciting. The majority of veterinary positions in NYC require an internship or several years of experience to be considered.
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What are the most common cases you see in your clinic? Do you have some advice for pet owners?
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We see a lot of skin (mostly allergy-related) and gastrointestinal problems. My advice for pet owners is to strictly limit the amount of treats/human food. I see SO many overweight animals which leads to different health problems. I would highly recommend getting pet insurance before your first vet visit to help off set any unexpected costs.
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Do you have any other engagements other than your daily job as a veterinarian?
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I’m a guest speaker on DoctorRadio on Sirius XM and would love to have my own radio show one day! I’m also a mom to 8 month old Hayes and in my free time love to spend time cooking and being active outdoors.
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Tell us something about your favorite breed Dachshunds? 🙂
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I love dachshunds! I think they are the cutest, most stubborn and loyal dogs. I love their small size but that they have the energy of an Australian shepherd!
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Do you have any advice for the future vets? (maybe some advice about Cornell University?)
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My advice for future vets is that it is never too early to start your career. When I was 15, I got my first job working in a vet office taking care of the boarded animals. Most vet schools require a certain about of animal experience but more importantly, you want to make sure it is the right career for you so immersing yourself in the field is really beneficial.
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What are your goals for the future?
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I’d love to get involved in more rescue/shelter work. I also love educating pet owners so would like to further my outreach through social media and the digital ecosystem.
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